Fidelity Bank vs Sterling Bank: Which is better?

Are you struggling to choose the right bank for your business and personal banking needs? With over 60 traditional and digital commercial banks in Nigeria, it can be overwhelming to find the one that fits your preferences.

To help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and lifestyle, this post compares two of Nigeria’s popular banks, Fidelity Bank and Sterling Bank.

Let’s get right into it…

Fidelity Bank vs Sterling Bank: Customer Service

Customer service is an integral part of the banking sector. It involves accessibility, customer support channels, response time, and problem-resolution

Branch Accessibility:

With over 250 branches, Fidelity Bank remains one of the biggest financial institutions in Nigeria. In this regard, it is bigger than Sterling Bank which had only 150 branches as of December 2022.

In essence, Fidelity Bank tends to guarantee easier physical access to customers than Sterling Bank.

Customer Support Channels:

Both banks have multiple channels through which they communicate with their valued customers. That is, they both have official websites, emails, and hotlines to connect to their representatives anytime.

Meanwhile, you can contact Fidelity Bank agents via the following online platforms:

Email: true.serve@fidelitybank.ng

Hotline: 0700 3433 5489 (in Nigeria), 0908 798 9069 (abroad)

X handle: @fidelitybankplc

WhatsApp: +234 903 000 5252

As for Sterling Bank, explore the following channels:

Email: customercare@sterling.ng

Hotline: 070078375464

X: @Sterling_Bankng

Response Times and Issue Resolution:

In this area, I found a series of conflicting reports all over the internet. Some users say Fidelity Bank has a fast response time and issue resolution while others disagree.

Hence, I conduct a quick online survey (journo request) for more reliable results. Though the turnout wasn’t great, most of the participants weren’t satisfied with Fidelity Bank’s response time.

For instance, a popular content creator on LinkedIn narrated his not-too-impressive experience with the bank, while some of his followers also shared a similar sentiment.

Furthermore, I sent an email to both banks at about the same time, while it took Fidelity Bank over 24 hours to respond to the email, it only took Sterling Bank some hours to reply.

Apart from this test, customer reviews on Trust Finance also show why Sterling Bank tops this category.

Fidelity Bank vs Sterling Bank: Digital Banking

Times are changing— digital banking is the new normal in Nigeria. Top commercial banks now have mobile apps to make banking easier and more convenient.

Since both companies have joined the digitalization trend, here’s a comparison between the mobile apps of these two banks:

App Security

Both Fidelity’s Mobile Banking app and Sterling’s OneBank app are secure. They feature biometric authentication and provide robust protection for user data and money.

Be rest assured that you’re safe when using any of the mobile apps.

Functionalities

There is so much you can do on both apps. The Fidelity Mobile Bank app lets you buy airtime, pay bills, purchase airline tickets, manage transaction limits, and make multiple transactions at a go.

As for Sterling’s OneBank app, it allows customers to send and receive money from anywhere in the world, freeze/unfreeze atm cards, complain, etc.

As you can see, both serve different purposes and offer various services.

User-Friendliness

Both apps have some impressive features that boost user experience. The biometric authentication ensures users can easily unlock the software when they forget their password.

Similarly, they are compatible with almost all smartphone devices. However, Sterling’s OneBank app seems to have a slight edge in user-friendliness and snappier performance based on user reviews.

Fidelity Bank vs Sterling Bank: Fee and Rates

Here are some tables showing the charges and fests for each bank:

Services (Savings Account)	Fidelity Bank	Sterling Bank
Transactional SMS	₦4/SMS	₦4/SMS
Cheque Book and Cost	—	50 leaved booklets – ₦1,500
Debit Card Maintenance Fee (Quarterly)	—	₦50 + 7.5% VAT

SMS charges for Saving account comparison

Services (Current Account)	Fidelity Bank	Sterling Bank
Transactional SMS	₦4/SMS	N4/SMS
Cheque Book and Cost	—	50 leaved booklets – N1,500
Account Maintenance Fee (Quarterly)	₦53.75 + VAT (quarterly)	₦50 + 7.5% VAT

SMS charges for current account comparison

Transaction Charges	Fidelity Bank	Sterling Bank
N5000 and below	₦ 10 (including VAT)	N10 + N0.75 VAT
N5,001 – N50,000	₦	N25 + N1.88 VAT
N50,000 and above	₦15 (including VAT)	N50 + N3.75 VAT

Transaction charges comparison

Note: The (-) signifies unknown/undisclosed.

Judging from the figures in the table, Sterling Bank’s fees appear more pocket-friendly for basic services like debit card maintenance and account maintenance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bank

Here are some factors to consider before settling for any commercial bank in Nigeria:

Personal Preferences

Your personal preference is the first and most important factor to consider before choosing between the two banks.

What do you want from your bank— seamless accessibility or maximum convenience? Affordable charges or high interest rates?

Answering these questions will guide your choice and help make the right decision.

Your Business Needs

Every entrepreneur and business owner must study their business before opening an account. You must identify your business size, the goals, and how often you transfer or receive money.

All these details must influence your final decision if you want the best for your business.

Services Charge

Bank rates and pricing policies are the other factors you shouldn’t ignore.

As you can see from the table, every bank institution has a unique fee for their services. Study the charges and choose the one that suits your financial status.

Interest Rate

Your chances of generating a high return on your annual savings largely depend on the bank’s interest rate. For instance, Sterling Bank’s interest rate on Savings accounts is reportedly one of the best in town.

Its TribeOne savings account enjoys a competitive interest rate of 1.25% p.a. while The New Sterling Plus guarantees an interest rate of 1.25% p.a. on every savings.

Conclusion

From the information above, both banks have their strengths and flaws. Fidelity Bank is best for those interested in physical banking due to its easy accessibility and wider branch.

Meanwhile, Tech-savvy users may prefer Sterling’s app convenience and fast speed. Since the fees are competitive, you can evaluate based on your financial capacity and needs.